Difference between the 'L' and 'E' seat pans?

[tbrand69]

Hey guys, I'm trying to de-'L' my '79 GS550L. The seat is hideous and has to be changed. I'm trying to decide if I should buy a whole new seat or modify the existing one.

I got the cover off and the foam is in really good shape. I could conceivably shave the foam down to a standard 'E' size and fit a new cover over it, or I could by a trashed 550 seat and recover and refoam it.

So my question is: will an 'E' seat/seat pan fit an 'L' model? Can I grab any '77-79 550 seat and throw it on my bike?

Thanks,
Tommy

 

[7981GS]

No. and no.
Modify the seat on the pan that you currently have.

Eric

 

[tbrand69]

No. and no.
Modify the seat on the pan that you currently have.

Eric

Excellent, thanks for the info. That makes things a little more difficult, but manageable.

Would a standard 'E' cover fit that 'L' pan if I shave down the foam enough?

 

[Steve]

Would a standard 'E' cover fit that 'L' pan if I shave down the foam enough?

It might, if you shave the foam to the exact shape of the "E" seat.

.

 

[tbrand69]

It might, if you shave the foam to the exact shape of the "E" seat.

.

I think I could do that. I'd have to buy a cover first for reference, then continually fit it, shave the foam, refit, reshave, etc., until I get it right. I can always weld or epoxy extra/new hooks or mounts if I need to.

Thanks for the valve spreadsheet, by the way. I haven't had a chance to plug my numbers in yet, but I'm getting around to it.

Tommy

 

[Steve]

I haven't had a chance to plug my numbers in yet, but I'm getting around to it.

Come on, you have had it for four days, what are you waiting for?



Here, just in case you can't find your other one:

.

 

[tkent02]

Excellent, thanks for the info. That makes things a little more difficult, but manageable.

Would a standard 'E' cover fit that 'L' pan if I shave down the foam enough?

It would be a lot easier and better to shave the seat to a shape you want and make a custom cover to fit. I don't think an E shape can work on an L pan.

Congrats on the DeLing the L, it's always a good choice.

 

[tbrand69]

Come on, you have had it for four days, what are you waiting for?



Here, just in case you can't find your other one:

.

Lol, I'm workin on it! Unfortunately, other things have taken priority, but I'm in no rush. I'd rather take my time and do it slowly than dive in face first.

It would be a lot easier and better to shave the seat to a shape you want and make a custom cover to fit. I don't think an E shape can work on an L pan.

Congrats on the DeLing the L, it's always a good choice.

Thanks. Although i already have an 'E' cover on the way. I'll throw it on and see how it looks, then try shaving down what I don't need. I can also hack up the pan a bit if I need to make it fit.

Alternatively, I can just strip all the foam off and play around with the pan's shape and size, then glue new foam to it in the shape I want.

Tommy